CCRIF WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS – BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND MONTSERRAT

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, June 13, 2018. (Press Release) – The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC is pleased to announce that the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat have joined the facility and purchased coverage for the 2018/19 policy year beginning June 1st. Both countries obtained tropical cyclone and excess rainfall policies and the Government of the Virgin Islands also purchased cover against earthquakes. CCRIF’s membership now stands at 19 countries – 18 Caribbean governments and 1 Central American government.

CCRIF is pleased to welcome its two newest members and CEO Mr. Isaac Anthony says “the addition of these two countries to the risk pool is consistent with our current strategic direction which is geared towards scaling up the facility by adding new members, increasing products we offer and also encouraging members to increase coverage levels”.

Governments and citizens in the region have witnessed first-hand the impacts of extreme geophysical and climate events throughout the past decade – highlighted by Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Maria in the past two years – and have been encouraged by CCRIF’s rapid response and payouts. Since CCRIF’s inception in 2007, it has made payouts totalling US$130.5 million to 13 member governments, including US$83.6 million for Matthew, Irma and Maria, which have accounted for 64 per cent of the total. Even after these payouts, CCRIF remains financially solvent with its long-term sustainability intact.

All 36 payouts to date have been made within 14 days of the end of the event – a core principle of CCRIF SPC. In some cases, partial payouts were made within 7 days upon request by the recipient governments.

Indeed, the two new members are joining CCRIF at a time when many countries are increasing their level of coverage. While all existing member policies were renewed for the 2018/19 policy year, 12 member governments increased the value of their coverage limit by at least 10 per cent for either Tropical Cyclone or Excess Rainfall policies. These countries all recognize that climate change is likely to exacerbate the impacts of hydrometeorological events – resulting in more frequent intense storms as well as greater variability in periods of excess rainfall and drought – and that the use of parametric insurance can be applied to strengthen their climate resilience. Additionally, two countries increased the coverage limits on their Earthquake policies.

The CCRIF Story is a powerful way to demonstrate the linkages among country disaster risk management strategies, risk transfer, poverty reduction and economic resilience. CCRIF promotes the importance of the Agenda 2030 goals for sustainable development and the notion of leaving ‘no one behind’ in development. CCRIF supports CARICOM in its bold ambition to make the Caribbean the first climate-resilient zone in the world and will play its part in helping the region realize this stated ambition. The facility effectively supports the goals of promoting sustainable economic growth, ensuring environmental, social and fiscal sustainability and reducing poverty – as evidenced by its own mission statement: “A resilient Caribbean region and beyond with optimized disaster risk management and climate change adaptation practices supporting long-term sustainable development”.